Final answer:
Culture is an abstract concept that evolves over time through transmission, innovation, and societal change, rather than a fixed or material entity. While it provides identity and comfort, culture is not taken for granted as it is subject to critique and evolution, a balance of societal rules (structures) and individual power (agency).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Culture isn't taken for granted: true or false?' touches on the complex nature of culture as a concept. The statement would be true, as culture is not something that should be taken for granted given that it is constantly being formed, reformed, contested, and updated by societal norms and individual actions. Cultural diversity around the world suggests that while culture provides a sense of comfort and identity, it is also subject to innovation, discovery, and cultural diffusion. Concepts such as cultural determinism are critically examined for oversimplifying the influence of culture on individuals.
There is also a critical balance between the 'rules' of society - known as structures - and the power of individuals and institutions to navigate and change those rules, known as agency. The interplay between agency and structures shapes what we recognize as culture, making it an abstract but impactful part of human life.
It is essential to understand that while culture can guide society's expectations and values, including aspects like gender roles and social norms, it is also something that evolves and is challenged by those it may impact negatively. Therefore, culture is both preserved through tradition and susceptible to change due to critical thought and social evolution, highlighting its non-material, abstract existence.